Imperativ - Befehlsform
Imperativ — for English Speakers
Introduction
English has one imperative form: 'Come!' works for everyone. German has three: one for du (informal singular), one for ihr (informal plural), and one for Sie (formal). The du-form often drops the -st ending and sometimes the -e. The Sie-form keeps the pronoun: 'Kommen Sie!' This feels unusual because English imperatives never include 'you'.
German vs English
In German
Komm! / Kommt! / Kommen Sie! (three forms)
In English
Come! (one form for everyone)
Key Difference
German imperatives must match the formality level; English uses the same form for all.
In German
Bitte setzen Sie sich. (formal command with 'Sie')
In English
Please sit down. (no pronoun needed)
Key Difference
German formal imperative always includes 'Sie'; English never includes 'you' in commands.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Kommen! (to a friend)
Using the infinitive form because English 'Come!' looks like an infinitive too.
Geh Sie bitte!
Mixing the du-form 'Geh' with the formal pronoun 'Sie' — the formal imperative keeps the full verb.
Practice Examples
Komm her!
Come here! (informal)
Öffnet das Buch!
Open the book! (informal plural)
Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.
Please speak more slowly. (formal)
Memory Tip
Du = short and snappy (Komm!), Sie = full and formal (Kommen Sie!) — formality means more words.
View Grammar Rule
Imperativ - Befehlsform
Imperativ — A1
Practice Exercises
Imperativ - Befehlsform Übungen
7 exercises
Other Languages
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